Conflict Between Efficiency and Sense of :: Philosophy Philosophical Essays

Conflict Between Efficiency and Sense of "Ludus" ABSTRACT: Efficiency is a highly considered virtue, especially in our contemporary technological society. It appears to be opposed to the sense of ludus (playfulness) that is greatly valued in Brazilian culture. Is this conflict real? Is it a definite impediment to modernization? This paper deals with this apparent conflict of values, trying to find a way toward a harmonious integration of them. Efficiency is shown as the virtue of a culture turned toward modernity. It is therefore highly prized in contemporary business administration theories. It is also shown that the whole of modern society is oriented toward technological advance and it consequently tends to value efficiency above all other values. Considering other values found in different cultures, there needs to be a better knowledge of them. This study establishes ludus as a typical value of Brazilian culture. An analogy is drawn between the sense of playfulness described and praised by Brazilian authors, and the sense of de tachment from technology proposed by Jacques Ellus as a condition for creating a real civilization with technological progress. Efficiency is a value highly considered, particularly in our contemporary technological society. It is apparently opposed to the sense of "ludus" that is greatly valued in Brazilian culture. "Ludus" comes from the Latin word meaning playfulness. Is the conflict between efficiency and sense of "ludus" a real conflict? Is it a definite impediment to technological development? This paper intends to show that the conflict is in fact apparent, the values being contrary and not contradictory. There is a way of integrating them. Efficiency is highly prized in a culture turned toward productivity. It is therefore cultivated in contemporary business administration theories. It also tends to be prized above all other values in modern society, as society is more and more oriented toward technological advancement. On the other hand, Brazilian writers have time and again described and praised the value of a sense of "ludus", playfulness, therefore indicating that it is a value of their own culture. It might be said that a strong sense of playfulness, "ludus", would be an impediment towards fully entering modern society and assimilating modern values. To solve the problem, an analogy is drawn between the sense of playfulness, "ludus", described and praised by Brazilian authors, and the sense of detachment proposed by Jacques Ellul as a condition for bringing about real civilization with technological progress. Thus, a claim is made that a "ludical" sense, rather than being an impediment to modernization, is a way to overcome the dangers of uncritical technological development. Conflict Between Efficiency and Sense of :: Philosophy Philosophical Essays Conflict Between Efficiency and Sense of "Ludus" ABSTRACT: Efficiency is a highly considered virtue, especially in our contemporary technological society. It appears to be opposed to the sense of ludus (playfulness) that is greatly valued in Brazilian culture. Is this conflict real? Is it a definite impediment to modernization? This paper deals with this apparent conflict of values, trying to find a way toward a harmonious integration of them. Efficiency is shown as the virtue of a culture turned toward modernity. It is therefore highly prized in contemporary business administration theories. It is also shown that the whole of modern society is oriented toward technological advance and it consequently tends to value efficiency above all other values. Considering other values found in different cultures, there needs to be a better knowledge of them. This study establishes ludus as a typical value of Brazilian culture. An analogy is drawn between the sense of playfulness described and praised by Brazilian authors, and the sense of de tachment from technology proposed by Jacques Ellus as a condition for creating a real civilization with technological progress. Efficiency is a value highly considered, particularly in our contemporary technological society. It is apparently opposed to the sense of "ludus" that is greatly valued in Brazilian culture. "Ludus" comes from the Latin word meaning playfulness. Is the conflict between efficiency and sense of "ludus" a real conflict? Is it a definite impediment to technological development? This paper intends to show that the conflict is in fact apparent, the values being contrary and not contradictory. There is a way of integrating them. Efficiency is highly prized in a culture turned toward productivity. It is therefore cultivated in contemporary business administration theories. It also tends to be prized above all other values in modern society, as society is more and more oriented toward technological advancement. On the other hand, Brazilian writers have time and again described and praised the value of a sense of "ludus", playfulness, therefore indicating that it is a value of their own culture. It might be said that a strong sense of playfulness, "ludus", would be an impediment towards fully entering modern society and assimilating modern values. To solve the problem, an analogy is drawn between the sense of playfulness, "ludus", described and praised by Brazilian authors, and the sense of detachment proposed by Jacques Ellul as a condition for bringing about real civilization with technological progress. Thus, a claim is made that a "ludical" sense, rather than being an impediment to modernization, is a way to overcome the dangers of uncritical technological development.